His reply came immediately.
Oh no.
She smiled.
Then heard footsteps.
One of the women from the stage approached.
The one in emerald.
She looked nervous.
“Ava?”
The first name familiarity irritated her.
“Yes?”
“I wanted to apologize.”
Ava waited.
The woman swallowed.
“My name is Caroline.”
Ava did not offer hers.
Obviously unnecessary.
Caroline continued.
“What I said was awful.”
“Yes.”
“I thought…”
She stopped.
Ava waited.
“I don’t know what I thought.”
“That usually means you know but dislike the answer.”
Caroline flinched.
Fair.
Ava was not trying to be cruel.
Just accurate.
Caroline looked down.
“I thought you were trying to get attention.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
Ava said nothing.
Caroline looked frustrated with herself.
“You looked… glamorous.”
Ava raised an eyebrow.
“That’s suspicious?”
“No.”
“I mean…”
Caroline stopped.
Then forced honesty.
“I thought you were some influencer trying to get a picture near the car.”
Ava nodded.
“Would that justify mocking me?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Caroline’s eyes filled slightly.
“I’m sorry.”
Ava studied her.
Not because she wanted to punish.
Because apologies revealed themselves through specificity.
“What exactly are you sorry for?”
Caroline blinked.
“For saying you should buy more tickets.”
“And?”
“For laughing.”
“And?”
Caroline looked toward the ballroom.
“For enjoying watching someone else get embarrassed.”
There.
Better.
Ava nodded.
“Thank you.”
Caroline looked surprised.
“That’s it?”
“What were you expecting?”
“I don’t know.”
“Forgiveness?”
“Maybe.”
Ava smiled faintly.
“You don’t need my forgiveness to behave differently tomorrow.”
Caroline absorbed that.
Then nodded.
“You’re right.”
She left.
The second woman did not apologize.
That was fine too.
Not every story needed conversion.
Claire found Ava near the elevators at 11:18.
The gala was ending.
Guests collecting coats.
Photographers packing.
The unauthorized sponsor plaque had disappeared.
Claire no longer held a microphone.
She looked exhausted.
Ava almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
“Can I have five minutes?”
Ava checked the time.
“Three.”
Claire nodded.
“I resigned.”
Ava’s expression did not change.
“That was fast.”
“Jonathan asked.”
“So you didn’t resign.”
Claire looked away.
“Fine.”
“I was removed.”
Ava nodded.
“What do you want from me?”
Claire stared.
“You really don’t soften anything.”